Chelsea vs Leicester City – FA Cup: Live score, team news and updates as Mauricio Pochettino goes strong – despite being without key midfielder – in quarter-final clash
Pochettino is clearly ‘up for the cup’ with that strong team selection. Barring the goalkeeper change, that seems about as strong as Chelsea could go at the moment.
Team news will follow soon
Stay tuned for the two confirmed team line-ups as we approach an hour until kick-off in West London.
Here are pictures of Chelsea boss Pochettino and some of the Leicester players coming in.
Leicester checks in at the bridge
Here is Leicester inspecting the pitch at Stamford Bridge after arriving a few minutes ago.
Wet weather… but Poch still lights the BBQ!
Heartwarming scenes this week as Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino became the drillmaster by hosting a barbecue for 130 people at their training ground in Cobham.
Apparently there were sausages, steaks and dishes from different countries to keep his cosmopolitan team happy.
But of course the club’s nutritionists had their say and fries (and alcohol) were banned.
A soggy Sunday in the capital
As you can see from these photos of some of the early arriving fans at Stamford Bridge, it’s a bit wet in London.
Mind you, it seems to be quite humid in most of the country. Either way, it should provide a smooth surface under that leaden sky.
Leicester are following massively
The Championship leaders may come to Stamford Bridge as underdogs but they will be supported by 6,015 fans who will pack The Shed this afternoon.
It promises to be a fantastic atmosphere as the Foxes look to repeat their victory over Chelsea in the 2021 final.
Today in the FA Cup
Two down, two to go in terms of this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals.
As we have seen, Man City and Coventry are already through to the last four.
Chelsea vs Leicester City is the next match at 12.45pm and later it is the humdinger at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Liverpool, a 3.30pm kick-off.
As for the draw for the semi-finals, that will take place after the action concludes later at Old Trafford. Mark Pougatch will organize the draw, while Ian Wright will take the balls from the velvet bag.
Apparently this will take place within 15 minutes of the final whistle.
The ball numbers are: 1 – Coventry City; 2 – Manchester United or Liverpool; 3 – Chelsea or Leicester City and 4 – Manchester City.
Saturday Cup Stories – Coventry stuns Wolves with astonishing stoppage time turnaround
TOM COLLOMOSSE: For the past 34 years, Mark Robins has been best known as the man who saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job, but now the Coventry manager is writing an even better FA Cup story himself.
Robins’ goals in the 1990 competition helped United reach the final and eased the pressure on Ferguson. They defeated Crystal Palace in a replay at Wembley and 23 years later Ferguson retired as arguably the greatest manager in the history of the game.
Robins will never be given that label, but what he has achieved in Coventry is remarkable. They are back in the Cup for the first time since winning at Wembley in 1987 and they will remember this classic quarter-final almost as long as that one.
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Saturday’s Cup Stories – Man City restores order after chaos to beat Newcastle
IAN LADYMAN: After the unrest and chaos at Anfield last weekend, this was the return of the Manchester City we know. Orderly, goal-oriented, reliable and of course fully in control. Pep Guardiola’s team is facing yet another semi-final of the national cup and no one will be the least bit surprised.
Admittedly, the opposition is battered and bruised and in decline. Newcastle, so soon after the highs of last season, are currently heading in the wrong direction at an alarming and increasingly predictable pace.
There’s no shortage of effort from Eddie Howe’s team, but the truth is they’ve never played in this match, not really. City have been impressively ruthless throughout and the fact that they have now reached six FA Cup semi-finals in a row says everything about them. No team has ever done that before.
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Can Chelsea avoid a banana peel as Wembley beckons?
Coventry City and Manchester City have already booked their places in the FA Cup semi-finals, with their fans already looking forward to a trip to Wembley next month.
This lunch we discover the identity of the third team through the last four.
On paper, Chelsea should be the favorites as they welcome Championship Leicester City to Stamford Bridge.
But Enzo Maresca’s side have taken the second tier by storm this season as they aim to return to the top division at the first time of asking.
They will certainly give Mauricio Pochettino’s side something to think about and will be supported by a legion of fans in what is a repeat of the 2021 FA Cup final.
At the time, it was Leicester who emerged victorious, lifting the famous trophy for the first time in their history.
What will the outcome be today? Welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea vs Leicester City.
Important updates
Leicester’s line-up this lunchtime
The Chelsea team will face Leicester
Can Chelsea avoid a banana peel as Wembley beckons?
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